Oscar Peterson The Way I Really Play (Exclusively for My Friends, Vol. III) 180g LP

With Sam Jones and Bobby Durham, Peterson's new, permanent trio has emerged on the third MPS album in a row. "The best trio I've ever had," said the Canadian, raving about the immediate feeling of togetherness. This Vol. 3 is appropriately titled The Way I Really Play. In the recordings presented here, it is undoubtedly clear that Jones and Durham take a back seat, serving as the ideal projection surface for Peterson's piano playing, but still come forward with solo moments. In the opener, "Waltzing Is Hip," the sophisticated change between 3/4 and 4/4 time is captivating, as is the exuberant drum solo. Peterson shines with a real reinvention of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll," thoughtful and harmonically rich. With "Sandy's Blues," the protagonist stands out as an author, and he dedicates this splendidly embellished blues to his wife. "Noreen's Nocturne" is also his work - far from being a nighttime serenade, the trio heats up for an exuberant five minutes. With "Alice in Wonderland," made famous by Miles Davis, Peterson demonstrates his swing skills. And finally, Gershwin's "Love Is Here to Stay" must be considered a dramatic masterpiece, which develops with a magnificent arc of tension from free lyricism to gripping humor.